Member - FairGrid

Photovoltaic (PV) systems only work with a stable power grid or together with expensive batteries. However, individual battery-assisted PV systems help only in individual houses but not the people who live between these houses. For example, FairGrid developed an electricity meter that protects and stabilises power grids against congestion with consistent power demand site management, thus providing the basis for the faster spread of PV. The remote-update electricity meter basically has an input for a PV system and, with net-metering, progressive electricity tariffs, provides high financial incentives for the operation of private PV systems. Smartphones are used to display power consumption and pay for electricity.

Granted, FairGrid is pretty ambitious. It wants to protect not only the power grids in Africa for all from failures and thus set an important impetus for development and education, but also with the possibility to operate PV systems network parallel to initiate a promotion and incentive program for Africa. FairGrid fully relies on smartphones, offering not only an indication of power consumption and running costs but also introducing a transparent cryptocurrency. There is thus the initial spark for e-commerce, easier administration and a fast-growing economy.

Among other things, FairGrid wants to start the energy transition in Africa, help to save CO2 and reduce the causes of flight. FairGrid is based on the use of a smart electricity meter called FairBox. These should be built and offered by the industry. The right software is developed by universities. FairGrid is also being implemented in pilot projects by cooperating universities in Germany, Jordan and in the various countries of application. Finally, the concept should be adopted by the electricity providers in the countries.